Abstrict

A cat litter product is provided and includes manufacture primarily
from modified corn starch which is processed through mash distillation.
The litter product is pelletized via an extrusion technology process
so as to form particles the size of wheat grain. The litter product
provides, collectively, a non-toxic and naturally safe, biodegradable,
odor-eliminating, scented, anti-bacterial litter that clumps in
a convenient size for easy disposal and which has little dust and
reduces tracking by cats.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An animal litter consisting essentially of: a filler selected
from the group consisting of sawdust, wood shavings, and a blend
of distillers dried grains and sawdust; modified starch, wherein
said combination of said filler and modified starch form particles
tending to agglomerate when wetted; yucca schidegira to inhibit
urease enzyme from converting urine to ammonia, thereby neutralizing
ammonia production; and zeolite for binding ammonia and water, thereby
neutralizing ammonia production and mildew formation.

2. The animal litter of claim 1 further comprising a density increasing
agent.

4. The animal litter of claim 1 wherein said composition is extruded
and pelletized to form granules.

5. The animal litter of claim 4 wherein said granules form particles
tending to self reduce in size to a size that remains acceptable
for use in absorption and clumping of animal waste without further
mechanical size reduction.

6. The animal litter of claim 1 wherein said modified starch is
modified to improve mixing and processing characteristics.

8. The animal litter of claim 1 wherein said sawdust or wood shavings
is selected from the group consisting of pine and cedar and a combination
of said woods.

9. A method of sorbing an aqueous liquid utilizing a filler formed
of wood shavings or sawdust, said method comprising the steps of:
adding modified starch such that the filler and modified starch
combination form particles tending to agglomerate when wetted; adding
yucca schidegira to inhibit urease enzyme from converting urine
to ammonia, thereby neutralizing ammonia production; and adding
zeolite for binding ammonia and water, thereby neutralizing ammonia
production and mildew formation.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of adding
a density increasing agent.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of extruding
and pelletizing to form granules, wherein said granules form particles
tending to self reduce in size to a size that remains acceptable
for use in absorption and clumping of animal waste without further
mechanical size reduction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to cat litter and, more
particularly, to a cat litter possessing anti-odor and anti-microbial
agents which is biodegradable and provides easy cleanup and lessens
cat tracking.

2. Description of the Related Art

The cat litter industry is filled with a variety of litters that
provide, collectively, a non-toxic and naturally safe, biodegradable,
odor-eliminating, scented, anti-bacterial litter that clumps in
a convenient size for easy disposal and which has little dust and
reduces tracking by cats. Many litter formulas offer some combination
of the aforementioned qualities, however, no litter offers each
of these advantages in one litter formula.

Accordingly, a need has arisen for an improved cat litter formula
offering the aforementioned advantages in one comparably priced
formula. The development of the improved cat litter fulfills this
need.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read
directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following
references were considered related.

The following patents disclose mushroom spawn formulations: U.S.
Pat. No. 6073388 issued in the name of Kananen et al.; U.S. Pat.
No. 6029394 issued in the name of Kananen et al.; and U.S. Pat.
No. 6041544 issued in the name of Kananen et al.

The following patents disclose litterbox fillers: U.S. Pat. No.
4721059 issued in the name of Lowe et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5230305
issued in the name of House; U.S. Pat. No. 6216634 B1 issued
in the name of Kent et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5690052 issued
in the name of Sladek.

The following patents disclose alcohol production and recovery
processes: U.S. Pat. No. 5416245 issued in the name of MacGregor
et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4309254 issued in the name of Dahlstrom
et al.

The following patents disclose a process of supplying methionine
to a ruminant: U.S. Pat. No. 3968253 issued in the name of Bertram
et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4044169 issued in the name of Bertram
et al.

U.S. Pat. No. 5730371 issued in the name of Dongieux, Jr. et
al. discloses a device and a process for delumping pasty masses
in waste materials from paper manufacture.

U.S. Pat. No. 5770138 issued in the name of Yoder discloses
a method of making enhanced non-clay granules made from pulp or
paper sludge.

U.S. Pat. No. 4015026 issued in the name of Burkwall, Jr. et
al. discloses a process for preparing a moist pet food additive,
and a resultant pet food.

U.S. Pat. No. 4560527 issued in the name of Harke et al. discloses
a method of making agglomerated cellulosic particles using a substantially
horizontal rotating drum.

U.S. Pat. No. Re 28700 issued in the name of Berger discloses
an antibiotic which is active against gram-positive and gram-negative
bacteria and produces growth stimulation and increased feed efficiency
in poultry.

U.S. Pat. No. 5003995 issued in the name of Kersey discloses
compositions and articles for stimulating taste receptors.

U.S. Pat. No. 5360823 issued in the name of Griffel, Jr. et
al. discloses an anionic salt formulation for milk fever.

U.S. Pat. No. 5250182 issued in the name of Bento et al. discloses
a membrane-based process for the recovery of lactic acid and glycerol
from a corn thin stillage stream.

U.S. Pat. No. 5242292 issued in the name of Wenger discloses
an extruder apparatus for producing sterile pelleted feed product.

And, U.S. Pat. No. 4828846 issued in the name of Raco et al.
discloses a human food product produced from dried distillers spent
cereal grains and solubles.

Consequently, a need has been felt for a cat litter possessing
anti-odor and anti-microbial agents which is biodegradable and provides
easy cleanup and lessens cat tracking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide
an improved cat litter that is non-toxic and naturally safe.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved
cat litter that is biodegradable.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved
cat litter that is odor-eliminating.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved
cat litter that is scented.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved
cat litter having anti-microbial agents.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved
cat litter that clumps in a convenient size for easy disposal and
which has little dust and reduces tracking by cats.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved
cat litter which includes manufacture from modified corn starch.

Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention,
an improved cat litter is provided and includes manufacture from
modified corn starch, Yucca Schidigera, anti-microbial agents, anti-odor
agents, zeolite, distilled dried grains, and sodium bicarbonate
for improving the litter density and for improving cost production.

Modified corn starch is a polysaccharide, which are the most common
agents used in providing the cohesiveness, or clumping, of litter
when used. Among the suitable agents that may additionally be used
for clumping are dextrins, maltodextrins, flours, cellulosics, hemicellulosics,
and the many varieties of starches.

Yucca Schidigera is a plant typically found in the desert regions
of Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Mexico. Among its many
properties, the Yucca Schidigera's ability to bind and neutralize
ammonia is relevant to the cat litter formula. Natural saponins,
which are emulsifying or foaming agents, are found in the leaves
of the Yucca Schidigera and are the chemicals responsible for binding
and neutralizing the annoying and harmful odors associated with
the ammonia formed in the lifter after the breakdown of urea, which
is found in cat urine. The natural saponins may also act to neutralize
the odors associated with cat feces, as Yucca Scutigera is also
used in animal foods to help neutralize feces odor within the intestinal
tract of an animal so that when the feces are passed the odor is
less objectionable. In addition to the natural saponins from Yucca
Scutigera, additional anti-odor agents may be added to further curb
the smell generated from waste deposited in the cat litter.

Anti-microbial agents are also added to help curb the initiation
and development of microbes that may be harmful to cat and cat owner,
such as molds. The anti-microbial agents may come from among sodium
propionate, calcium propionate or other known chemicals. In addition
to the agents suggested, additional anti-microbial compounds may
be included with those already suggested so as to provide maximum
protection against the formation of microbes, bacteria or molds.

The general method of manufacture of the cat litter formula is
comprised of a mash distillation process and an extrusion technology
process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A. Composition

An improved cat litter is provided, according to the present invention,
comprised of a composition which includes the following ingredients:
polysaccharide (modified corn starch); zeolite; yucca schidegira;
distillers dried grains and/or sawdust; salt compound (sodium bicarbonate);
and anti-microbial agents. The sawdust utilized in the improved
cat litter is a scrap product, readily available and used as a lower
cost filler to replace distillers dried grain of the parent application,
but can also be used in combination with some percentage of distillers
dried grains to provide a cedar, pine, or other pleasant odor if
utilizing sawdust or shavings from the appropriate types of wood.

Each of the aforementioned ingredients may have one or more sub-components.
For example, the salt compound is preferably sodium bicarbonate,
however, potassium carbonate and calcium carbonate are envisioned
as being selected alone or in combination.

Yucca schidegira, as a natural saponin, is an emulsifying or foaming
agent which functions to inhibit urease enzyme action and to prevent
the formation of NH.sub.3 (ammonia), thereby binding and neutralizing
annoying and harmful odors associated therewith. Yucca schidegira
further serves to help neutralize feces odor.

The anti-microbial agents, preferably including sodium propionate
and calcium propionate, facilitate protection against the formation
of microbes, bacteria, or molds.

Zeolite is a natural mineral consisting of silica and alumina.
Zeolite has a unique interconnecting lattice structure arranged
to form a honeycomb framework of consistent diameter interconnecting
channels and pores. Negatively-charged alumina building blocks and
neutrally-charged silica building blocks are stacked thereby producing
an open, three dimensional honeycomb framework. Odors and gases
such as ammonia are attracted to and trapped within the zeolite
crystalline structure. Zeolite also adsorbs and desorbs water, thus
eliminating and preventing mildew formation.

Modified corn starch is a polysaccharide which serves in the production
of alcohol and provides cohesiveness, or clumping of litter. While
other cereal grains such as wheat, barley, and rye may be selected,
modified corn starch is preferred. In addition, other suitable agents
facilitating occlusivity or clumping may include a mixture of dextrins,
maltodextrins, flours, and arabinoxylans.

B. Method Of Manufacture

In practicing the present invention, the general method of manufacture
is comprised of a mash distillation process which includes grinding
corn into a coarse modified flour called meal. The meal is mixed
with water and a malt enzyme, preferably alpha-amylase, and is passed
through cookers where starch is liquefied. Heat is applied to enable
liquefaction using cookers with a high temperature stage and a lower
temperature holding period, wherein a mash product is produced.
The high temperature stage facilitates reduced bacteria levels in
the mash product. The mash product is then cooled and an additional
malt enzyme is added to convert liquefied starch to fermentable
sugars. The additional malt enzyme selected includes gluc amylase
and beta-amylase, however, gluc amylase is preferred. Yeast, preferably
saccharomyces cerevisiae, is then added in order to ferment the
sugars to ethanol and carbon dioxide. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is
the preferred yeast species because it facilitates quick, efficient
production of alcohol and possesses a high alcoholic concentration
tolerance. Fermented mash results and is sent to distillation, wherein
ethanol is extracted, leaving spent mash. The spent mash is centrifuged,
where liquid is separated therefrom. The liquid, or stillage, is
reintroduced into the cooking system and sold as livestock feed,
or is partially dehydrated into a syrup. The aforementioned mash
distillation process is executed under controlled pH being adjusted
and readjusted in a suitable manner as is commonly practiced in
such industry.

The mash distillation process creates two main co-products in the
production of ethanol, namely carbon dioxide and distillers grains.
The distillers grains are rich in protein, fat, minerals, vitamins,
and amino acids, and thus serve as a highly valued livestock feed
ingredient.

Next, centrifuged spent mash (distillers dried grains) is suitably
dried into a powder to which the following ingredients are added
to form a litter product: modified corn starch, zeolite, yucca schidegira,
sodium bicarbonate, and anti-microbial agents. The litter product
is suitably dried to a powder and is processed through a pelletizer
via an extrusion technology process so as to form particles each
having a size approximating the size of a grain of wheat. The particles
are then bagged and sealed.

C. Example

The following example represents the general formulation for the
improved cat litter of the present invention.

To use the present invention, user simply opens the improved cat
litter from its sealed packaging and pours a suitable volume thereof
within a container fabricated of a material specifically adapted
for use as an animal litter storage receptacle.

Therefore, the foregoing description is included to illustrate
the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit
the scope of the invention. As one can envision, an individual skilled
in the relevant art, in conjunction with the present teachings,
would be capable of incorporating many minor modifications that
are anticipated within this disclosure. The foregoing descriptions
of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented
for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended
to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible
in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and
described in order to best explain the principles of the invention
and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled
in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the
Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope
of the invention is to be broadly limited only by the following
Claims.